Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) was a starship Captain before Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Batel is one of the new characters created for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, balancing out the younger legacy icons from Star Trek: The Original Series like Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck), Ensign Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), and Captain Pike himself. Batel is the Captain of the USS Cayuga, and is in a relationship with Captain Pike.
Captain Pike commanded the USS Enterprise from 2250 to about 2265, when Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) took over the flagship of the United Federation of Planets. Pike came aboard the Starship Enterprise as its First Officer when the Constitution Class vessel launched in 2245 under the command of Captain Robert April (Adrian Holmes). Upon completing the Enterprise's first five-year mission, April was promoted to Admiral, and Pike became Captain of the Enterprise. But Marie Batel had already beaten Christopher Pike to the Captain's chair.
Batel Was Captain Before Pike In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Captain Batel Beat Pike To The Center Seat By 5 Year
According to a on-screen graphic seen in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's finale, "Hegemony," Marie Batel became Captain of the USS Cayuga in 2245. The Cayuga, which is a Constitution Class starship similar to the USS Enterprise, was launched the same year as Captain April's starship. Not only was Batel a starship Captain for about 15 years as of the end of Strange New Worlds season 2, but Batel beat Pike to the Captain's chair by five years.
Although Captain Pike commands the Federation flagship, Captain Batel is a decorated starship Captain. Batel is also an officer in Starfleet's Judge Advocate General's office. Batel was in line to become a Commodore before she was passed over because, Marie believes, she lost the Federation's case prosecuting Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) for lying about her status as a genetically engineered Illyrian in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2, "Ad Astra Per Aspera."
Pike and Batel understand each other's burdens and realities.
Captain Batel and Captain Pike have a unique and satisfying relationship, in part, because they are both starship Captains. Although their responsibilities and respective missions make spending time together challenging, Pike and Batel understand each other's burdens and realities. Marie and Chris' romance has rough patches, but they are rare example in Star Trek of Captains, who are equals, pursuing a healthy relationship.
Pike Never Suffered Batel’s Loss In Star Trek
Captain Batel's USS Cayuga Was Destroyed By The Gorn
Captain Batel suffered a loss that Captain Pike never experiences in Star Trek's Prime timeline. In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' season 2 finale, the USS Cayuga is attacked and destroyed by the Gorn in orbit around Parnassus Beta. Captain Batel was on the planet supervising the resupplying of Federation colonists when the Gorn invaded. Only Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) survived the Cauyga's destruction, and she was rescued from the husk of the starship by Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck).
Captain Pike's future involves being seriously injured and confined to a wheelchair, but the Starship Enterprise is not destroyed while Chris is in command. Although it survives battle damage and is refitted a handful of times, the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 remains intact from its launch in 2245 until Admiral Kirk self-destructs his beloved starship in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Pike never knows what it feels to see his starship destroyed or face court-martial by Starfleet for losing his ship, which may happen to Captain Batel in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3.
Will Captain Batel Survive Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3?
It's Up To Nurse Chapel To Save Captain Batel's Life
Before Starfleet can follow protocols and investigate Captain Batel's loss of the USS Cayuga, Marie first has to survive being infected by the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3's premiere. Batel is carrying Gorn eggs after she was attacked when the alien reptiles invaded Parnassus Beta in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' season 2 finale. Captain Pike and Lieutenant Montgomery Scott (Martin Quinn) were able to bring Batel back to the USS Enterprise, where Nurse Christine Chapel has to find a way to save Marie's life.
Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusamokun) was among the USS Enterprise crew members who were abducted by the Gorn in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's finale.
If Captain Batel somehow lives Gorn-free, there's no telling whether Starfleet will assign Marie command of another starship. As it is, Batel had an impressive tenure as Captain of the USS Cayuga for about 15 consecutive years. It's possible Batel achieves her promotion to Commodore, which could also give her command of a starship or a starbase in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. By the time Captain Pike gives up command of the USS Enterprise, he should match Batel's run of roughly 15 years as a starship Captain.
